ENGLISH
REFERENCE

racism

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈɹeɪˌsɪzəm// UK //ɹˈeɪsɪzəm// racism General-service

n. the unfair treatment of people because of their race or where they come from. It also includes the belief that some races are better than others.

n. prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. Often refers to systemic or institutional structures that disadvantage specific ethnic groups.


SIMPLE

The organization works hard to fight racism in the workplace.

CONTEXTUAL

The new law aims to address systemic racism by ensuring equal access to housing and education for all citizens.

COMPLEX

Sociologists distinguish between individual acts of prejudice and structural racism, which involves historical patterns of exclusion embedded within a society's legal and economic frameworks.

Synonyms
Origin

Borrowed from French racisme, equivalent to race + -ism.

Usage

Usually uncountable when referring to the general concept or ideology; can be countable when referring to specific instances or theories.

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